Tag Archives: finding strength within

This past year has been a journey for me. It has been one that has not been without its share of life lessons. But I have learned so much from it and from the people that I have encountered along the way.

I have learned some very important things about relationships- of platonic, family, and romantic.

For my first post of this year I think it’s a great thing to write these things down to share with you. You see, this blog has been an outlet for me to voice how I have felt, but one thing that I have learned the most is how important it is to listen.

When you shut your mouth and take steps back, you get a view of a much bigger piece of the canvas that is life.

People are intricate beings. We can learn much from each other. Each person has gifts to share with the world. Shut up and listen. You’ll learn when you should speak up when it’s time. Don’t worry you will have your turn. but give other people the floor first. It is then that you can optimally share what you have. Collaborate with others to make something bigger, greater, stronger. Attack the wold like a pack of wolves. There is a reason they say that there is strength in numbers. This is not to say that you should not look out for number one first. It is about balance.

We are given the privledge of feeling moments of levity and darkness. Are these products of our enviornment? Yes and no. Self accountability and the balance of listening, proactivity, patience, andtime…. time really is so integral.

I have lost so much time in my own selfishness. In this, I have also learned that sometimes selfishness is important. In your darkest hour, there is no one in the room but you. Stick to the goal.

A person should always be choosy of whom they associate with. Surround yourself with optimistic and vibrant people. Watch how much that canvas takes shape and even lights up.

Treat every single person as if they are a gift, because they are.

There is positivity around you everywhere. It is not as abysmal as you may think.

Never stop learning, growing, and loving.

There are things in this world that are so much greater, tangible, real, and worthwhile that are worth investing your time in. While money can make the road easier, it is not the end all, be all of things. The best kept secret is that the best investments you can make are the people in your life. They will help push you towards unbelievable things. Weather it’s yourself, a significant other, a child, or a friend.

There is a song that helps me get through tough times. The lyrics have pushed me through so many hardships in my life. In times where I found that I needed no one but myself. In times where I knew that it was only me that would make things perfect, even if they weren’t completely perfect.

The greatest thing you learn will be from yourself. The words you speak will come from no one else. All you believe is in your soul. All you see you can’t control. You thought you knew what it meant to live your life innocent. You listened when I had nothing to say. You listened ’cause I never had to pay for my crimes, it’s my time. So I think I made up my mind. From now on it’s all gone, but I wil never seem to say what I know, ’cause I feel I will always find a way. What I need to do is what I need to do. Try and get myself back down to the ground, without a scratch. Throw away the match, don’t even stop, walk to the top, ’cause who we are is not what I see. We need a love to hold us high, above the sky to feel the light, to see what’s right. If one thing changed it was me, I just wanted to be free. And I’ll always find a way.

The relationships you build today are the foundations for where you are headed tomorrow. Make each connection count.

Listen.

Learn.

Love.

Give.

You will be surprised how much you will receive when you only give.

It is only then that things will work out. Things have a way of working themselves out. We may not always see it when it’s happening, but it’s true.

Here is to a year focused and determined to launch greater ideas, build stronger relationships, learn new things, and grow further as a person.

Each day.

Every day.

With a consistent and vibrant zest for life.

Because the moments in our lives are precious.

Our time here is very short.

Make it count.

Create the most amazing canvas you can. Remember that every sparkle and every ray of light was once a dark shadow. Wishes do come true. It sometimes pays off to just take a step back to give them time to persevere and patience before it can turn into reality.

If it were easy all the time you wouldn’t appreciate it. To be fatalistic is to surrender without effort. Steps back are sometimes leaps forward in disguise.

And remember: Everything we want is attainable. It only takes a creation of the thought in your mind to make it happen, if it’s meant to happen.

Smile today. It’s an infectious disease that should be a goal to run rampant into the hearts of many everyday.

Right now it seems more than ever I am being tested. My demons of my past are surfacing. My demons from the present are merging. I am slaying dragons and am… still in the tower. I am not the damsel in distress. I’m fighting my way out.

On the horizon stands the most worthwhile prince this princess has ever encountered. She fights not for the prince, but for herself. She is the only one who can conquer them. Weather the light at the end of the tunnel is joined by him, no one can be sure. This is the real world and not a fairytale. But wouldn’t it be grand if it ended up that way?

Last week, I entered a time machine. It was a time I had nearly forgotten. I reminisced down memory lane. I strolled down the beach to gather myself once again. This mermaid…

I contemplated life in the silence. It used to bother me so. It used to make my skin crawl.

Now?

There is far more music in the sound of nothingness than in anything else at all. It is truly amazing.

And while its easy to find my way home to you… it’s not always easy to get there. Sometimes I forget the way. Sometimes I forget the days. Sometimes, it seems that it’s easier to forget and walk away from those things that dare be unleashed once again. It’s easier to pretend. It’s easier…

DISCLAIMER: As a note to all my friends and to people all over the world within the military, this blog is not to belittle your efforts, dedication, hard work or jobs. I know that there is so much that you do than what is in the focus of this blog. This is to those lost souls that have turned to the military to complete themselves rather than a foundation based in patriotism.

On one gaming forum that I belong to, I’ve made a few friends-people that have both helped me through hard times as well as touched me through their laughter, stories, and support. This is the story of one of them.

His name is Hazard Cheif and he’s a pathological liar. At first, I just thought he was kidding around. Then the lies got bigger… mafia, car races, cheating girlfriends (ok that one could have been true), boats, yadda yadda yadda.

Sometimes it was funny. I mean, it felt like a game to a degree. But over time it became less and less funny. As a friend, quite frankly I hoped that he would get past this stage in his life and start on the path to finding himself. Given that I have been on this road (looking to find myself not the pathological lying bit), I distanced myself. I never really disappeared but I also wasn’t there all of the time.

Once in awhile he will message me. We will have a bit of loose conversation and then back to poof.

Conversation continued more as I asked him about postcards. He said that he was stationed stateside and had not yet been deployed but would send some when he was. And then he started to mention that he was actually looking forward to deployment…

(11:47:35 PM) supernerdlady: thats not something to look forward to(11:49:36 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :i’ve never left the US(11:49:59 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :it’ll be a chance to see new cultures learn new things meet new people(11:51:55 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :other than that shit life has actually kinda sucked

It was abundantly clear that he’d joined the service in an attempt to get away from reality rather than face his issues. As a good friend, I didn’t pander to his statements where he tried to rationalize his choice…

(11:53:33 PM) supernerdlady: escaping doesnt solve anything(11:53:42 PM) supernerdlady: but thats one thing the service is good for i guess(11:53:55 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :yea i guess.(11:54:00 PM) supernerdlady: you dont need to focus on yourself bc you can just do what they tell you(11:54:03 PM) supernerdlady: be how they tell you(11:54:36 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :i’ve already been in for a year and 3 months, and i feel like i havent really done anything with my life thats really of any importance(11:54:57 PM) supernerdlady: what dictates whats important or not?(11:55:11 PM) supernerdlady: did you learn anything in that time?(11:56:00 PM) HaZaRd Cheif :i learned…. heh, how to iron military creases in my uniforms, alot about the UCMJ, and that i despise marines… ha

Now before you start with the hate mail, as I stated in the disclaimer above, I will reiterate that this blog is not to belittle your (anyone within the military or friends of someone within the service’s) efforts, dedication, hard work or jobs. I know that there is so much that you do than what is in the focus of this blog. This is to those lost souls that have turned to the military to complete themselves rather than a foundation based in patriotism.

He was unhappy and didn’t see just how unhappy he was, or rather, he didn’t know how to. And then, it happened. The beginning of the potential end of our friendship…

That was it for me. I told him flat out what I thought about his statement, and it was not pretty. It’s so not pretty that I am not going to post it. But here’s a summation of how it went:

I told him that I “would take my poor, artistic, extremely happy but not always perfect or stable paycheck existence over a life like what he was living- without decision making or happiness over his any day.” I wished him the best of luck to find whatever it is that he is looking for and that the only person that could save him was himself.

It was harsh, brutal honesty. I let him go. I meant what I said. I felt really bad about it. I know he’s not the only person going through this… so many others like him are experiencing this same pain. Why doesn’t anyone do anything for these men and women? Is a future with your own voice really that bad? In the process of giving someone something they can be confident and successful in with moving up ranks and encouragement, we walk away from what really matters: that same application inwardly.

Mr Hazardous Chief, tread safe out there. I hope you find the beacon to guide you home safely soon.

My take on apologies?
Well they speak volumes of your character.
Believe it or not-
Every one is gonna mess up.
He’s going to make a mistake.
She’s going to go the wrong way.
Someone is going to say something that hurt you.
One day you’re going to wish you never did something that is done already.

And it’s about the way you pick yourself up and acknowledge your error.

And can you apologize for it… no I mean sincerely, say you’re sorry in the most humble and honest way possible— with hope that you’re forgiven, but understanding if you’re not? Have you ever been taught how? Do you know what the premise of “I’m sorry” is?

It means I wish I hadn’t and I won’t do it again.

I found the above note on the tumblr of a girl I met at a party a few weeks ago. She’s a wonderful girl that I spent a bit of time with at said party.

There is a backstory to the following apology below. Although it has already been discussed with the person involved, I was moved by her post to add more to it here in the public space. The rabbit hole goes deep with this tale in which I view the experience to truly be something that I will smile about and forever treasure in my mind, regardless of what happens in the aftermath.

And to you “my” dear sir so & so…

I’m truly sorry I reacted the way that I did. Hopefully someday you may see to the sincerity.. of moments so pure and beautiful that in the aftermath (I hope it’s a see you later, rather than a goodbye)in my heart of something magical in its own right rather than the tainted disdain it may very well likely (doubtfully) have become.

I realize that if I’ve waited this long for 1 legendary moment, regardless if there’s more after, what a great moment to have to look back at. Here’s hoping that you will not only remain there. Here’s hoping you visit me in the realm of… whatever way you desire, if only for another moment once again.

My marriage was over 3 years ago, but the axe finally comes down officially tomorrow.

3 years of heartache of separation from the kids.

Of bullshit games and an inferior complex from a man who abused me both emotionally and physically.

From a man who attempted to extinguish the fire within me.

I look back at pictures in reflection. It was a long time ago but doesn’t feel like it was. It was a different life. A different world. One that I miss sometimes and others one that I’m glad is being left behind.

I thought I would always be watching from the rearview mirror… seeing little faces turn big and I wouldn’t be there.

It tugs my heart. I first heard about my daughter walking from an email sent to someone else. I wasn’t included in this family. He ran off to make his own. With another woman who couldn’t have children of her own.

Imagine finding excel spreadsheets with daycares cross country with your children’s names. Of threats before work to take your children. Of a man you gave everything up for reminding you your place in line.

Money.

I hate to love money.

“Why is divorce so expensive?”

“Because it’s worth it!”

Court is tomorrow in Martinez. I am exhausted. There is little to nothing I can do at this point. If I go in and contest the terms, I may not even be heard or the divorce may be postponed. Both of which, I don’t want.

It’s the dissolution. It’s just one part of the process. It will work itself out. I will fight for them in the ways that I can.

The judicial system is frightening. I’m amazed with the bullshit he’s able to get a hold of. He hasn’t let me see my children with him in nearly a year. I feel like such a small fish in a big pond. But I don’t have time for melancholy. There’s no crying over spilled milk. Steps forward, and no looking back.

These few days I have been so busy. Looking for work. Writing elsewhere. Tugging my heart on the ground and cutting myself off to focus.

The fire that was extinguished all those years ago has returned. I’m stronger. It can’t hurt me anymore. Tommorrow I will be free of the last bit of chains left.

The best thing that came of this experience were those babies. Those babies that I am committed to going full force and diving into this market to make the life for them better. One day at a time.

The path ahead is free and inviting… but god help me I’m scared/excited.